Q What is the school's careers programme?

A Seaham High School continues to build and develop a careers programme that meets the career development needs of students during their school journey and beyond.  The programme is built around the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks as a framework for providing quality CEIAG (Careers Education Information Advice & Guidance.  Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers.  Further information on the Gatsby Benchmarks and school CIAG policy can be found on careers portal.

Q       What Careers information, advice & guidance will my child receive in school?

A    Seaham High School have a dedicated Careers Coordinator in school whom students can go to with any careers queries.   Mrs Rochester is a Registered Careers Development Professional (RCDP) with the (CDI) Careers Development Institute, providing students with impartial and confidential careers information, advice & guidance.   From choosing option subjects in Year 9, to Post-16 employment, education or training plans, opportunities with a CIAG practitioner is key in supporting students with important decisions about their future.  

Q My child is in Year 11 at school.  What help will they receive with their post-16 choices and future career planning?

A Students in Year 11 are entitled and offered a 1:1 careers information, advice and guidance meeting with a qualified careers adviser to explore their career ideas, interests, skills and understand the post-16 pathways and provision available to them after they leave school.  Students are supported with applications to colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeships, including creating CV's and support with barriers to learning such as travel, finance, health & wellbeing, and any other matters that may impact on a successful progression to employment, education and training.

Q What resources can I access at home to help my child to make informed decisions about their future?

A The school have a variety of resources you can access, including up-to-date information shared in the careers portal on our school website.  In addition, all students have access to a Unifrog account, which has a wealth of resources to help with researching careers, choosing options, quiz to discover own skills & interests. 

Q How else can I be involved with my child’s career planning?

A In years 7-10, your child will be taking part in a variety of careers education & activities throughout the academic year. Students have access to their individual Unifrog account where they can complete activities, gather information and resources. You can encourage your child to share what they have been learning in school and show you their progress on Unifrog.

A Students are emailed a careers summary & action plan following their 1:1 careers interview with an adviser.  Ask your child to share this information with you and talk through this at home and how you can help them complete any actions towards their next steps.

A An important part of students making a successful transition to post-16 education, training or employment is when parents can provide support to college and apprenticeship open days which take place usually on evenings or weekends.  Attending open events and interviews are one of the key steps in helping your child make a more informed decision about the potential providers they wish to start.  You and your child have an opportunity to see the facilities, meet the tutors and to find out more about the courses they are interested in.  You will have opportunities to ask the college/provider further questions and get a feel of the environment they will be working in.  Leaving school can feel quite daunting for some students, so by supporting them as much as possible at home with their transition visits are a great way to help overcome any anxieties or worries.

A Parents can also get in touch with Mrs Rochester, Registered Careers Coordinator if you have any questions regarding your child careers education , planning or support.  Please email rck@seahamhighschool.com or contact school reception on 0191 5161600.

Q    What careers activities do school have in place for my child?

A    The school offer a variety of careers activities that take place throughout the year which are specific to each year group.  These activities contribute towards their career journey and key decision making stages.  Activity examples include the school’s Careers Fair in which a variety of representatives attend from further & higher education institutions, employers & apprentice representatives, training and technical learning providers.  This event enables students to interact with, and learn more about potential future career paths, plan and discover post-16 options.  

A Subject departments offer curriculum learning and experiences specific to the subject.  This is by linking with industry sectors and including careers learning content in the curriculum. Students may experience visits (internal or external trips) with employers and education/learning providers to learn more about the industry sector linked to the curriculum area.  

A Labour Market Information (LMI) is accessible to students through job profiles obtained on Unifrog and can be part of information provided during personal guidance.  Students will be informed on technical routes such as T level and apprenticeships, as well as opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).

A SMSC lessons in school support students with their career development and career management skills.  Specific lessons will help students to identify the different pathways after Year 11, understand their skills, strengths, interests and options.  Be able to challenge stereotypes and understand barriers to success.  

A External partners, employers and learning providers visit our school to deliver information sessions during assemblies, group sessions or workshops.  These sessions can include information on T levels, apprenticeships or more specific to an area of industry, such as careers in the NHS.

Q What help will my child get with making applications to post-16 opportunities?

A Our school Careers Coordinator offers direct support to students in making applications to post-16 education, employment & training opportunities.  Many students choose to apply independently at home themselves, or with their parents/carers.  The Careers Coordinator will monitor students’ progress on their post-16 applications to ensure they have a suitable ‘offer of learning’ for when they leave us in Year 11.  Any additional support with applications to post-16 learning or work will be offered to students if needed.

Q My child has an Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP) or has Special Educational Needs support plan (SEN Support) in school, what careers help is available for my child?

A If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)  then parents/carers and all professionals involved will be invited to attend EHCP review meetings in school when these take place.  EHCP review meetings in Year 11 have a focus on your child’s next steps and career pathways.  They will usually include sharing information on your child’s progress in education, including their post-16 options, advice and recommendations on support towards their post-16 learning and transition.  

Q    What financial support is available after my child leaves school?

A    Parents/Carers may be entitled to Child Benefit and Tax Credits while their child is in full-time education.  This usually continues after your child has left Year 11, if they have started full-time education at college, sixth form or other full-time course/programmes.  Parents will need to notify Child Benefit of their child's plans to start education or training, and provide details of the course/learning programme they will be starting.

School leavers who begin an apprenticeship will have employed status.  This is because they are in work, earning a salary which is paid by the employer.  In this case, if a parent previously claimed Child Benefit and Tax Credits when their child was in Year 11, their benefit entitlement will change or stop.  See information on benefits including eligibility Gov.uk - benefits or contact Child Benefit or Universal Credit for advice on your entitlement.

For students starting further education or training, and have been entitled to Free School Meals, you may be able to apply to additional financial support.  This is usually assessed on household income.  Check with the college/sixth form or training provider your child will be starting and ask for help how to apply.

Q What travel support is available for my child?

A Your child may be able to apply for a travel pass for buses, trains for example, or claim travel reimbursement if they start full time education or training.  Speak to the learning provider they are starting with to find out about travel support and eligibility.

If your child currently receives funded education transport to school due to a special education or health need, then they may be entitled to Post-16 Education Transport.  Speak to Mrs Rochester for further information, or to be directed to appropriate support.

If your child starts employment or an apprenticeship, then check when travel costs may be covered.  When an employee commutes to and from work, travel costs are not usually covered for these journeys as employees get paid only when they arrive at work.  Employers may reimburse travel costs its part of the job role to travel, or if your travel is more than your normal commute to and from work.   Check your contract of employment or speak to your HR department about travel expenses.

Q Who do I speak to in school about my child’s career education and future plans?

A You can contact Mrs Rochester, Registered Careers Coordinator at Seaham High School by telephoning main reception 0191 5161600 or by emailing direct at rck@seahamhighschool.com  Mrs Rochester is a qualified and experienced careers professional and coordinates the careers programme and delivery of CEIAG in school.  If you would like more in-depth information, advice and support you can book an appointment in the same way by contacting reception or emailing.

Mr Harbron is the SLT member and allocated Careers Lead in school with responsibility & accountability for the school career programme. He can be contacted at hac@seahamhighschool.com.